"FLYING WITH UNCLE KEN"

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 25, 30 January 1932, Page 18

"FLYING WITH UNCLE KEN"

(Original.)

C(ff^ H ' c' hildrcn» i vhat do you think?" cried Mrs. Thompson, as she «*• \J} tered the breakfast-room one bright sunny day in January. "What?" shouted the twins, Jeanne and Jack, excitedly. "Well," answered their mother, "Uncle Ken is coming for a fortnight's visit." 6 "Cheers!" shouted Jack, as he grabbed Jeanne by the waist and waltzed her round the room. Their excitement lay t,in the fact that their uncle w,»« a well-known aviator and owned a lovely Puss Moth, .which was the delight of the twins' hearts. "When does Uncle Ken arrive, Mum?" inquired Jeanne, a fair-haired, blue-eyed, merry girl of 11 years. "On Monday afternoon," was the. reply. In due course the longed-for day arrived. Uncle Ken arrived m the afternoon, and the children were quite disappointed because ho Kd not donned his flying. suit for his arrival. They cheered up, however, when he told them that lie was going for a short flight in the morning, and would take them with him. "Bun outside, and play no.v, while I have a chat with your mother," he laid. When they were outride, Jack, who was fair-haired, grey-eyed t and mischievous, said, "I say, Jeanne, lot's go down to the aerodrome and see Uncle Ken's 'plane." "Righto!" Jeanne replied, and off they went. In a short time they arrived at the aerodrome and looked around for tho 'plane. Suddenly Jack espied it. "There it is, Jeanne! Come and look at it." They went over to where the 'plane stood gleaming in the-bright sunshine. No one war about at the time to notice what fresh mischief the twins might be setting into. ' " • "Let's climb .inside," said Jeanne, after a while. "All right," answered Jack. "Up you get, and I'll follow." They wore soon nosing round in the cockpit, and, suddenly, just as Jack pressed a button, the, 'plane shot forward. "Ye gods! What have you done now!" cried Jeanne in dismay. Jack's face was as white as a sheet, and his hands trembled, but Jeanno was quite calm and collected. She reached over Jack's shoulder and pressed a button marked "Turn," rfnd the machine, which had been making straight for the fence, turned and stopped 'The two children clambered out, and as they turned to walk away they saw running towards them two men who were waving their arms and gesticulating. The children didn't wait for any more, but took to their heels and ran, fear lending wings to their flight. When they widened the di»tance between their pursuers and themselves, they looked round and saiV *! 1?r ln. cii«? tan? ing by the 'Plane> B0 they slackened their pace and then laughed. 'Myl Wasn't that a narrow escape!" said Jeanne. "Yes, rather!" replied Jack. "I think we had better make for home now." When they arrived home they found Mother and TJncle Ken searching for them. "Why, twins, where have you been?" exclaimed Mrs. Thompson. Oh, wo have been having a great time," they answered, and cave mbnef description of their little jaunt. , ' * "Gracious! I hope nothing-is wrong with' the 'plane," said Uiicla Ken anxiously. ~> "Oh, no, Uncle, we saw the men examining, the 'plane, and they didn't seem alarmed. ; "You mustn't go near the aerodrome without your uncle or me I'm sure you don't want to be laid up •with broken limbs' during your uncle Ken's visit." ' . "Bather not," they chorused. After breakfast next morning, Uncle Ken took them down to the aerodrome. He wore his flying suit this time, and the twins felt very p-oud as they stepped along by his side; everyone they met that they knew wa« introduced to Uncle Ken, and the twins told them he'was going to takethorn for a flight. Eventually they arrived at the aerodrome, and the first persons the twins saw were the men of the previous afternoon. Nothing was said, however, about the episode, and after Uncle Ken had filled up with fuel and strapped the twins and himself to their respective seats, the plane taxied off. How delightful it -was rushing through the air with the keen wind cutting through them! Presently- Uncle Ken told them he Tvas going to do some stunting, and shouting, "Sit tight!" the thrills commenced. Looping the loop, dropping towards earth like a. stone; -then shooting up to the sky agam. "Feeling sick, twins?" yelled Uncle. "Not a bit " they replied, and indeed they were thoroughly enjoying themselves. Presently the •,'plane began to circle round, and a short time after they were back aeaia , at the aerodrome. , 'i"^ c!!' hol y did >'ou, eni°y your Httle flight, children?" aaked theif mother, when they were back home again. ■ "°}lt We £ ad a s PiffinG time- We felt as if we could stay up thcri «. -ii T *e 9' S?ea Bwiftly by' and each day was fiUed with glorious thrills for the twins At last Uncle Ken's visit came to a close, and the twins and, their mother went to see their uncle away. Uncle Ken fixed up the requirements of his 'plane, and when he was ready to depart he tossed each of the twins a parcel. Jeanne opened hers and found nestling inside a darting gold- bangle and a gold brooch with "Jeanne" engraved on it. In Jack's .was a model Puss Moth. The twins were delighted, and •*T2h2?*£U &gS Ht" "* "^ *™* ** °*' ™ buta'^aTspeckln SSS&2! "* *■*** 'plan 6tmSt ™ Cit ~ '-< _■ v . "SWEETPEA" (18).